Sterilizing using ozone

ABSTRACT

A sterilization system including an oxygen generator, an ozone generator, a mixer, a wash chamber, and a sterilization chamber is disclosed. The oxygen generator is configured to generate a flow of oxygen. The ozone generator is in fluid communication with the oxygen generator, and configured to generate a flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen. The mixer is in fluid communication with the ozone generator and configured to receive the flow of ozone and a flow of cleaning fluid, and mix the flow of ozone into the flow of cleaning fluid, resulting in a flow of ozonated cleaning fluid. The wash chamber is in fluid communication with the mixer and configured to receive the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid from the mixer. The sterilization chamber is in fluid communication with the ozone generator and is configure to receive the flow of ozone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/995,280, filed on Jan. 14, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/116,769, filed on Feb. 16, 2015. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for sterilizing an object using ozone.

BACKGROUND

Sterilization generally entails the elimination of microbiological organisms to achieve asepsis, a sterile microbial environment. Medical professionals generally need and use sterilized equipment for treating patients, so as to avoid preventable infections or complications that may occur when using non-sterilized equipment. The sterilization of medical equipment can be challenging in non-hospital environments (e.g., in the field) or in third world countries that have limited access to power and clean water. Sterilization can generally be achieved by applying heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration or combinations thereof.

In general, surgical instruments that enter an already aseptic part of the body (such as the bloodstream, or penetrating the skin) should be sterilized to a low sterility assurance level, or SAL. Examples of such instruments include scalpels, hypodermic needles, etc. A commonly used method for sterilization is heat sterilization, such as by an autoclave, sometimes called a converter. Autoclaves commonly use steam heated to 121-134° C. (250-273° F.). To ensure proper sterilization, most autoclaves have meters and charts that record or display pertinent information such as temperature and pressure as a function of time. Autoclaves, while effective, can be relatively slow and require routine cleaning. Further, autoclaves should not be overcrowded to allow even penetration of steam and are therefore limited as to the number of instruments that can be sterilized at any given time.

SUMMARY

A sterilizing system may include a sterilization chamber, an ozone generator in pneumatic communication with the sterilization chamber, and a controller in communication with ozone generator. The ozone generator may utilize a cold plasma method to generate ozone for sterilizing an object received in the sterilization chamber. The controller may control operation of the ozone generator. The system may optionally include an oxygen concentrator in pneumatic communication with the sterilization chamber that feeds air rich in diatomic oxygen molecules into the sterilization chamber. The diatomic oxygen rich air aids ozone generation through the cold plasma method. The system may also optionally include an air mover arranged to circulate air through the sterilization chamber. The controller may control the oxygen concentrator and the air mover and coordinate operation of its controlled components to achieve a threshold ozone level within the sterilization chamber. The controller, ozone generator, oxygen concentrator, and air mover may receive power from an external power source or a power source integral within the sterilization system. A portable case may house all of the components of the sterilization system, allowing portability and use of the sterilization system in remote locations.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a sterilizer that includes a sterilization chamber, an ozone generator, an air mover, an oxygen concentrator, and a controller. The sterilization chamber houses the ozone generator. The ozone generator generates at least one plasma field in the sterilization chamber. The air mover is in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and circulates air through the sterilization chamber. The oxygen concentrator is in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and delivers oxygen-concentrated air to the sterilization chamber. The controller is in communication with the ozone generator, the air mover, and the oxygen concentrator.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the sterilizer may further include a power source. The power source is in electrical communication with the ozone generator, the air mover, the oxygen concentrator, and the controller. Additionally, the sterilizer may further include a timer used to activate and deactivate at least one of the ozone generator, the air mover, or the oxygen concentrator to maintain a threshold ozone level within the sterilization chamber. In some examples, the controller controls ozone generation to maintain a threshold ozone level of about 4,000 parts per million within the sterilization chamber. This control may be accomplish by pulsing power feed to the ozone generator, maintaining an air recirculation rate of the air mover between about four liters per minute and about six liters per minute, and maintaining an oxygen concentration of the oxygen concentrator of at least seventy-five percent.

In some implementations, the controller includes a toggle switch that controls activation and deactivation of at least one of the ozone generator, the air mover, or the oxygen concentrator. A utensil tray may be removably housed by the sterilization chamber. In some examples, the sterilizer includes an ozone meter in communication with the controller that measures an ozone concentration in the sterilization chamber. Additionally, the sterilizer may further include one or more of an oxygen meter in communication with the controller that measures an oxygen concentration in the sterilization chamber, an oxygen meter in communication with the controller that measures an oxygen concentration of the oxygen-concentrated air delivered by the oxygen concentrator, and an air flow meter in communication with the controller that measures a flow rate of the air circulated by the air mover. Implementations of the disclosure may further include a display. The display is in communication with the controller. Additionally, the display displays information associated with the operation of the sterilizer.

In some implementations, the sterilizer includes one or more spray nozzles, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. The one or more spray nozzles are located in the sterilization chamber. The pump is in fluid communication with one or more spray nozzles, and the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the pump. In some examples, the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and the pump circulates a rinse fluid between the fluid reservoir and the sterilization chamber.

The sterilizer may further include a valve. The valve is in fluid communication with the air mover. Additionally, the valve moves between a closed state and an open state. When the valve is in an open state, the valve directs ozone generated by the ozone generator to the fluid reservoir. In some examples, the valve includes a valve body and a valve seat. The valve body defines a port. The valve seat is located in the valve body. Additionally, the valve seat moves between a closed position seated against the port and an open position spaced from the port when the port receives a connector stud.

In some implementations, the sterilizer includes a rinsing chamber, one or more spray nozzles, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. The one or more spray nozzles are located in the rinsing chamber. The pump is in fluid communication with one or more spray nozzles. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the pump. In some examples, the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the rinsing chamber and the pump circulates a rinse fluid between the fluid reservoir and the rinsing chamber.

In some implementations, the sterilizer includes an exhaust meter. The exhaust meter is in fluid communication with the sterilizer chamber and in electrical communication with the controller. Additionally, the exhaust meter measures at least one of an exhaust flow of gas out of the sterilization chamber or an ozone concentration of the exhaust flow of gas. The controller triggers an alarm when the ozone concentration of the exhaust flow of gas is greater than a threshold ozone concentration. The sterilizer may further include a case that houses the sterilization chamber, the air mover, the oxygen concentrator, and the controller.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of sterilizing an instrument. The method includes receiving an instrument in a sterilization chamber and generating at least one plasma field in the sterilization chamber using an ozone generator. The ozone generator is located in the sterilization chamber. The at least one plasma field generates ozone by interacting with Oxygen in the sterilization chamber. The method also includes delivering oxygen-concentrated air to the sterilization chamber and circulating the ozone within the sterilization chamber.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the method further includes ceasing sterilization after a threshold period of time by ceasing generation of the at least one plasma field, ceasing delivery of oxygen-concentrated air to the sterilization chamber, and/or ceasing circulation of the ozone within the sterilization chamber. In addition, the method may further include measuring an ozone level within the sterilization chamber and triggering an alarm when the ozone level drops below a threshold ozone level before ceasing sterilization.

In some examples, the method includes delivering ozone from the sterilization chamber to a water reservoir. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further include spraying a rinse fluid on the received instrument within the sterilization chamber. The method may further include recirculating the rinse fluid between a fluid reservoir and the sterilization chamber. Moreover, the method may include delivering ozone from the sterilization chamber to the fluid reservoir to sterilize the rinse fluid.

In some examples, the method includes receiving the instrument in a rinsing chamber and spraying a rinse fluid on the received instrument within the rinsing chamber. Additionally, the method may include recirculating the rinse fluid between the fluid reservoir and the rinsing chamber. The method may further include delivering ozone from the sterilization chamber to the fluid reservoir to sterilize the rinse fluid.

In some implementations, the method includes generating at least 4,000 parts per million of ozone within the sterilization chamber. Additionally or alternatively, the method includes circulating the ozone within the sterilization chamber at a rate of about five liter per minute. The method may further include delivering oxygen-concentrated air to the sterilization chamber at a rate of about 1.5 liter per minute. The air delivered to the sterilization chamber has an oxygen concentration of at least seventy-five percent. In some implementations, the method includes exhausting air from the sterilization chamber at a rate of about 0.5 liters per minute.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a sterilization system including an oxygen generator, an ozone generator, a mixer, a wash chamber, and a sterilization chamber. The oxygen generator is configured to generate a flow of oxygen. The ozone generator is in fluid communication with the oxygen generator, and configured to generate a flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen. The mixer is in fluid communication with the ozone generator and configured to receive the flow of ozone and a flow of cleaning fluid, and mix the flow of ozone into the flow of cleaning fluid, resulting in a flow of ozonated cleaning fluid. The wash chamber is in fluid communication with the mixer and configured to receive the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid from the mixer. The sterilization chamber is in fluid communication with the ozone generator and is configure to receive the flow of ozone.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the sterilization system includes an air mover, an inlet valve, an air mover relay and a controller. The air mover may be configured to receive and move a flow of ambient air. The inlet valve may be in fluid communication with the air mover and the oxygen generator. The inlet valve may be configured to operate between an open state allowing the flow of ambient air therethrough and a closed state blocking the flow of ambient air therethrough. The air mover relay may be in communication with the inlet valve. The controller may be in communication with the air mover relay, and configured to command the air mover relay to cycle the inlet valve between the open state and the closed state according to a threshold oxygen duty cycle. The inlet valve may be a five-way valve.

In some examples, the system includes an outlet valve in fluid communication with, and downstream of the oxygen generator. The outlet valve may be configured to operate between an open state allowing the flow of oxygen therethrough and a closed state blocking the flow of oxygen therethrough, wherein the inlet valve may be disposed downstream of the air mover and upstream of the oxygen generator. The system may also include a fluid mover in fluid communication with the ozone generator and the sterilization chamber. The fluid mover may be configured to receive at least one of a recirculation flow of ozone from the sterilization chamber or the flow of oxygen from the oxygen generator and deliver the at least one of the recirculation flow of ozone from the sterilization chamber or the flow of oxygen from the oxygen generator to the ozone generator.

In some implementations, the system includes an ozone generator relay in communication with the ozone generator. The controller may be in communication with the ozone generator relay. The controller may also be configured to command the ozone generator relay to cycle the ozone generator on and off according to a threshold ozone duty cycle. The system may also include a fluid mover, a fluid mover relay and the controller. The fluid mover may be in fluid communication with the mixer and the wash chamber and configured to deliver the flow of cleaning fluid to the mixer. The fluid mover relay may be in communication with the fluid mover. The controller may be in communication with the fluid mover relay and configured to command the fluid mover relay to cycle the fluid mover on and off according to a threshold cleaning fluid duty cycle.

In some examples, the mixer has a first inlet for receiving the flow of ozone, a second inlet for receiving the flow of cleaning fluid, and an outlet for outputting the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid. The wash chamber may define an inlet for receiving the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid, an exhaust outlet, and a recirculation outlet. The inlet of the wash chamber may be in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixer. The recirculation outlet of the wash chamber may be in fluid communication with the fluid mover. The fluid mover may be in fluid communication with the second inlet of the mixer. The first inlet of the mixer may be in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber.

The system may also include an exhaust filter in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet of the wash chamber and configured to at least substantially remove ozone from the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid. The controller may also be configured to control operation of the oxygen generator and the ozone generator to maintain an oxygen concentration of the flow of oxygen to be at least 75% and to maintain a threshold ozone level of the flow of ozone to be at least 4000 ppm (e.g., 20,000 ppm) within the sterilization chamber.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of operating a sterilization system. The method includes instructing, by data processing hardware, an oxygen generating system to generate a flow of oxygen having a threshold oxygen concentration. The oxygen generating system is in fluid communication with an ozone generating system, the ozone generating system receiving the flow of oxygen from the oxygen generating system. The method also includes instructing, by the data processing hardware, the ozone generating system to generate a flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen. The ozone generating system is in fluid communication with a sterilization chamber, the sterilization chamber receiving the flow of ozone from the ozone generating system. The method also includes instructing, by the data processing hardware, a fluid mover to feed a recirculation flow of cleaning fluid to a mixer at a threshold flow rate, the mixer in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber and a wash chamber. The mixer has a first inlet in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber for receiving the flow of ozone, a second inlet in fluid communication with the wash chamber for receiving the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid, and an outlet for outputting a flow of ozonated cleaning fluid to the wash chamber. The mixer is configured to receive the flow of ozone and the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid, mix the flow of ozone into the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid, resulting in the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid, and output the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid to the wash chamber.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the oxygen generating system includes an air mover, an inlet valve, an oxygen generator, and an air mover relay. The air mover may be configured to receive and move a flow of ambient air. The inlet valve may be in fluid communication with the air mover and configured to operate between an open state allowing the flow of ambient air therethrough and a closed state blocking the flow of ambient air therethrough. The oxygen generator may be in fluid communication with the inlet valve. The air mover relay may be in communication with the inlet valve.

In some examples, instructing the oxygen generating system to generate the flow of oxygen includes instructing an air mover relay to cycle the inlet valve between the open state and the closed state according to a threshold oxygen duty cycle. Instructing the oxygen generating system to generate the flow of oxygen may include maintaining an oxygen concentration of the flow of oxygen to be at least 75%.

In some examples, the ozone generating system includes an ozone generator in fluid communication with the oxygen generator and the sterilization chamber and an ozone generator relay in communication with the ozone generator. Instructing the ozone generating system to generate the flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen may include instructing the ozone generator relay to cycle the ozone generator on and off according to a threshold ozone duty cycle. Instructing the ozone generating system to generate the flow of ozone may include maintaining a threshold ozone level of the flow of ozone to be at least 4000 ppm within the sterilization chamber.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a second method of operating a sterilization system. The method includes receiving, at an oxygen generator, a flow of ambient air, concentrating, by the oxygen generator, oxygen of the flow of ambient air, resulting in a flow of oxygen, and generating, by an ozone generator, a flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen. The method also includes receiving the flow of ozone in a sterilization chamber and receiving, at a mixer, a flow of recirculation flow of cleaning fluid from a wash chamber and the flow of ozone. The method further includes mixing, at the mixer, the flow of recirculation flow of cleaning fluid and the flow of ozone, resulting in a flow of ozonated cleaning fluid and delivering the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid from the mixer to the wash chamber.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the method includes receiving the flow of ozone into the mixer from the sterilization chamber. The method also includes controlling the flow of ambient air to the oxygen generator to maintain a threshold concentration of oxygen in the flow of oxygen. The method may also include

In some examples, the method includes moving, by an air mover, the flow of ambient air, receiving, at an inlet valve, the flow of ambient air, the inlet valve in fluid communication with the air mover and the oxygen generator, and controlling, by an air mover relay in communication with the inlet valve, the flow of ambient air by cycling the inlet valve between the open state and the closed state according to a threshold oxygen duty cycle. The inlet valve may be configured to operate between an open state allowing the flow of ambient air therethrough and a closed state blocking the flow of ambient air therethrough. The method may also include controlling, by an ozone generator relay in communication with the ozone generator, the flow of ozone by cycling the ozone generator on and off according to a threshold ozone duty cycle.

In some examples, the method includes receiving, at a fluid mover in fluid communication with the mixer and the wash chamber, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid from the wash chamber and delivering, by the fluid mover, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid to the mixer. The method may also include controlling, by a fluid mover relay in communication with the fluid mover, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid by cycling the fluid mover on and off according to a threshold cleaning fluid duty cycle.

The mixer may have a first inlet for receiving the flow of ozone, a second inlet for receiving the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid, and an outlet for outputting the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid. The wash chamber may define an inlet for receiving the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid, and exhaust outlet, and a recirculation outlet. The inlet of the wash chamber may be in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixer. The recirculation outlet of the wash chamber may be in fluid communication with the fluid mover. The fluid mover may be in fluid communication with the second inlet of the mixer. The first inlet of the mixer may be in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber.

In some examples, the method includes receiving, at an exhaust system, the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid. The method may also include removing, by the exhaust system, ozone from the ozonated cleaning fluid, resulting in an at least substantially ozone-free cleaning fluid.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example sterilization system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example sterilization chamber housing an ozone generator.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example sterilization system housed within a portable case.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example sterilization system and communication connections therein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an example sterilization system having an exhaust system.

FIGS. 6-9 are schematic views of example user interfaces.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an example user interface having a single on/off switch.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an example user interface having two on/off switches.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an example sterilization system having a pre-wash system.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example sterilization system having a pre-wash system.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example rinsing chamber.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an example user interface associated with a sterilization system that includes a pre-wash system.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an example user interface having two on/off switches associated with a sterilization system that includes a prewash system.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of an exemplary arrangement of operations for a method of sterilizing an instrument.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an example sterilization system having a pre-wash system.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are a schematic view of an exemplary arrangement of operations for a method of sterilizing an instrument.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a sterilization system 100 includes a sterilization chamber 110 housing an ozone generator 120. The ozone generator 120 produces ozone within the sterilization chamber 110 utilizing a cold plasma process, ultra violet light, a corona discharge, or an electrolytic ozone generation process (i.e., a process that splits water molecules into hydrogen (H₂), oxygen (O₂), and ozone (O₃)). While the ozone generator 120 is described as using one of the foregoing processes, the ozone generator 120 may employ any suitable process that generates ozone.

The ozone generator 120 includes an ozone-producing card (FIG. 2) that, when energized, maintains a dielectric barrier discharge for the creation of a plasma field when generating ozone via a cold plasma process. When oxygen-concentrated air is exposed to a plasma field, the plasma splits the diatomic oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms, which then recombine in triplets to form ozone. While the ozone generator 120 may employ any of the processes disclosed above, the cold plasma process has the advantage of quickly producing greater quantities of ozone when compared to the other ozone generation processes.

The sterilization chamber 110 is in fluid communication with an oxygen concentrator 130. The oxygen concentrator 130 produces oxygen-concentrated air, which travels to the sterilization chamber 110. The ozone generator 120 utilizes the oxygen-concentrated air to generate ozone via the cold plasma process described above.

The sterilization chamber 110 is also in fluid communication with an air mover 140. The air mover 140 exhausts air from the sterilization chamber 110 and recirculates the exhausted air through the sterilization chamber 110. For example, the air mover 140 may receive a recirculation flow of ozone from the sterilization chamber 110 or the flow of oxygen from the oxygen generator 130, and deliver the recirculation flow of ozone from the sterilization chamber or the flow of oxygen from the oxygen generator to the ozone generator 120.

The sterilization system 100 includes a controller 150 in communication with the ozone generator 120, the oxygen concentrator 130, and the air mover 140. In some implementations, the controller 150 includes a timer 154 that automatically terminates operation of the sterilization system 100 after a threshold period of time by directing the ozone generator 120 to cease plasma field generation, directing the oxygen concentrator 130 to cease production of air concentrated with diatomic oxygen molecules, and directing the air mover 140 to cease recirculation of the air within the sterilization chamber 110. The controller 150 may additionally or alternatively include a processor 156 that controls multiple aspects of the sterilization process, including process initiation and termination and memory 158 for storing operational characteristics such as software and/or threshold operating parameters of the sterilization system 100.

The controller 150 communicates with the ozone generator 120 through communication line 152 a to control aspects of the plasma field generation and communicates with the oxygen concentrator 130 through a communication line 152 b to control aspects of the oxygen-concentrated air production. The controller 150 additionally communicates with the air mover 140 through a communication line 152 c to control aspects of the air recirculation process. While the controller 150 is shown as being connected to the various components 120, 130, 140 via communication lines 152 a, 152 b, 152 c, the controller 150 could additionally or alternatively be in communication with the components 120, 130, 140 via a wireless connection.

The sterilization system 100 optionally includes a user interface 160 in communication with the controller 150 through a communication line 152 d. Again, while the controller 150 is described and shown as being in communication with the user interface 160 via a communication line, the controller 150 could alternatively be in communication with the user interface 160 via a wireless connection. The user interface 160 may allow the user to control some aspects of the sterilization process such as, for example, process initiation. When the controller 150 includes a timer 156, the user interface 160 may allow a user to set a threshold process time. Alternatively, the controller 150 may prevent a user from adjusting a threshold period of time at the user interface 160 or otherwise to ensure that the system 100 is not operated for a period of time greater than a predetermined threshold period of time.

A power source 170 supplies power to the components of the sterilization system 100 through power lines 174. The ozone generator 120 receives power from the power source 170 through power line 174 a. When the sterilization system 100 utilizes the cold plasma process to generate ozone, a power amplifier 172 amplifies the power from the power source 170, along a first power line 174 a, to a level suitable for use by the ozone generator 120.

The power source 170 also supplies power to the oxygen concentrator 130 through a second power line 174 b, to the air mover 140 through a third power line 174 c, and to the controller 150 through a fourth power line 174 d. If the system 100 includes a user interface 160, the power source 170 may supplies power to the user interface 160 as well.

The sterilization system 100 optionally includes an exhaust system 180 that is designed to exhaust air from the sterilization chamber 110 through an ozone exhaust port 184. An exhaust valve 182 may control air flow to the ozone exhaust port 184.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary sterilization chamber 110, which includes a body 112 and a lid 114 received by the body 112. While the lid 114 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being pivotally coupled to the body 112, the lid 114 may utilize an alternative design; it may be slidably attached to the body 112, uncoupled (e.g., freely attachable and removable from the body 112), or otherwise configured to move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the sterilization chamber 110 may provide the sterilization chamber 110 with a hermetic seal to prevent escapement of ozone from the sterilization chamber 110. The lid 114 may be locked in the closed position during operation of the ozone generator 120 (e.g., during a sterilization process) using a locking mechanism 114 a to prevent inadvertent or premature opening of the sterilization chamber 110 by a user. Additionally, the locking mechanism 114 a may serve to draw the lid 114 closer to the body 112, thereby improving the seal between the body 112 and the lid 114 and reducing the likelihood that ozone will escape the chamber 110. Alternatively, the lid 114 of the sterilization chamber 110 may be provided without a locking mechanism 114 a.

The sterilization chamber 110 houses a utensil tray 116. In operation, a user deposits an instrument or utensil to be sterilized (not shown) into the utensil tray 116 and closes the lid 114 of the sterilization chamber 110. Once the sterilization process has begun, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 120 sterilizes the instrument or utensil in the utensil tray 116.

The sterilization chamber 110 houses the ozone generator 120. The ozone producing card discussed above may include a first plate and a second plate (neither shown), which are energized by the power source 170 through the first power line 174 a. The first plate and the second plate are constructed of stainless steel or another suitable material for transferring electrons between the plates and producing a plasma field when the power source 170 provides the plates with a voltage. A dielectric layer is positioned between the first plate and the second plate that maintains an even distribution of the electron transfer and prevents arcing.

The ozone producing card generates a plasma field when the power source 170 provides an input voltage through the first power line 174 a. The applied voltage causes a current to be applied across both the top plate and the bottom plate, thereby producing plasma fields. Any voltage sufficient to power the ozone generator 120 may be utilized. For example, an input of approximately +3,500V DC across the first plate and approximately −3,500V DC across the second plate may be used to power the ozone generator 120.

The controller 150 optionally times the ozone generation and may turn the ozone generator 120 on and off at preset time intervals to pulse the discharge of the plasma fields. The controller 150 accomplishes this by pulsing the power feed from the power source 170 to the ozone generator 120.

The air mover 140 circulates gas into the sterilization chamber 110 at the gas inlet 112 a, through the sterilization chamber 110, and out of the sterilization chamber 110 at the gas outlet 112 b. The gas entering the sterilization chamber 110 at the gas inlet 112 a comprises a combination of the gas exhausted from the gas outlet 112 b of the sterilization chamber 110 and gas concentrated with diatomic oxygen molecules produced by the oxygen concentrator 130. The continuous supply of this mixture maintains an elevated oxygen concentration within the sterilization chamber 110.

The concentrated oxygen within the sterilization chamber 110 contacts the plasma fields generated by the ozone generator 120. Upon contact, the diatomic oxygen molecules are split into oxygen atoms. The split oxygen atoms combine in groups of three oxygen atoms to form ozone within the sterilization chamber 110. Driven by the oxygen-concentrated air entering the sterilization chamber 110 through the gas inlet 112 a from the oxygen concentrator 130, the ozone generator 120 maintains elevated concentrations of ozone inside the sterilization chamber 110. It is advantageous to maintain a minimum of approximately 4,000 ppm of ozone within the sterilization chamber 110 in order to obtain sufficient sterilization.

Referring to FIG. 3, a portable case 102 houses the sterilization system 100. The portable case 102 includes a body (not shown) and a lid (not shown) that can be pivotally coupled to the body of the case 102, slidably attached to the body of the case, uncoupled (e.g., freely attachable and removable), or otherwise configured to move between a closed position and an open position. When the lid is in the closed position, a user can easily and securely convey the sterilization unit 100 from one location to another. During times of conveyance, it is advantageous that the portable case 102 maintains the positioning of each component of the sterilization system 100. Accordingly, the various components of the system 100 may be fixed relative to the body of the case 102 such that relative movement between the components of the system 100 and the body of the case 102 is restricted.

Within the portable case 102, the components of the sterilization system 100 are arranged in any manner that permits the system to operate as designed. FIG. 3 illustrates one such exemplary arrangement. This arrangement may be predetermined based on depressions or other location features of the case body that ensure each component of the system 100 is properly installed in a predetermined location within the case 102. In the illustrated configuration, the oxygen concentrator 130 and the air mover 140 are disposed relative to the gas inlet 112 a on the body 112 of the sterilization chamber 110.

The gas inlet piping/tubing 118 a fluidly connects the oxygen concentrator 130 and the air mover 140 to the gas inlet 112 a on the body 112 of the sterilization chamber 110. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation in which a single gas inlet 112 a receives the output from both the oxygen concentrator 130 and the air mover 140.

The oxygen concentrator 130 produces oxygen-concentrated air and injects the gas into the gas inlet piping/tubing 118 a. In the gas inlet piping/tubing 118 a, the oxygen-concentrated air combines with the recirculating ozone-concentrated air from the air mover 140. In one configuration, the oxygen concentrator 130 supplies approximately 1.5 liters per minute of gas flow having an oxygen concentration of at least seventy-five percent in order to maintain the ozone concentration at approximately 4,000 ppm in the sterilization chamber 110.

The air mover 140 optionally includes a pneumatic pump or any other mechanical system or device capable of recirculating sufficient quantities of air through the sterilization chamber 110. The air mover 140 is in fluid communication with the gas outlet 112 b on the body 112 of the sterilization chamber 110 and extracts ozone-concentrated air from the sterilization chamber 110, which travels through the gas outlet piping/tubing 118 b and is either exhausted or is recirculated.

The ozone exhaust port 184 releases from the sterilization system 100 a portion of the ozone-concentrated air, which the air mover 140 extracted from the sterilization chamber 110. An exhaust valve 182 controls the flow rate of this ozone-concentrated air released at the ozone exhaust port 184.

The air mover 140 recirculates the remainder of the extracted ozone-concentrated air into the gas inlet 112 a on the body 112 of the sterilization chamber 110. It is advantageous to maintain a recirculation rate of the ozone-concentrated air at approximately five liters per minute in order to maintain the ozone concentration at approximately 4,000 ppm in the sterilization chamber 110.

The portable case 102 also houses the controller 150. In the exemplary implementation of FIG. 3, the controller 150 receives continuous power from the power source 170 through the fourth power line 174 d.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication lines 152 (shown in FIG. 1) extend within the portable case 102 from the controller 150 to various components of the sterilization system 100 allowing the controller 150 to oversee and/or control various aspects of the sterilization operation. The aspects of the operation overseen and/or controlled by the controller 150 include, but are not limited to, operation initiation and operation termination. For clarity purposes, the communication lines 152 are not shown in FIG. 3.

On/off switches 168 optionally allow a user to selectively turn on and off components of the sterilization system 100. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation utilizing one switch 168 b to turn on and off the ozone generator 120 and a second switch 168 c to turn on and off the oxygen concentrator 130 and the air mover 140.

The power source 170 may include a battery that is disposed within the portable case 102 of the sterilization system 100. In the alternative, the sterilization system 100 can utilize an external power source, which can either be portable or fixed. The first power line 174 a from the power source 170 to the ozone generator 120 includes a power amplifier 172 and powers the ozone generator 120. The second power line 174 b from the power source 170 powers the oxygen concentrator 130, while the third power line 174 c from the power source 170 powers the air mover 140.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sterilization system 100 is shown as utilizing one or more measuring devices 122, 132, 134, 142. Communication lines 152 send output signals from the one or more measuring devices 122, 132, 134, 142 to the controller 150. The controller may utilize the signals from these one or more measuring devices 122, 132, 134, 142 to display information on the user interface 160 and/or to adjust the operation of other components of the sterilization system 100. The power source 170 is in electrical communication with and powers the one or more measuring devices 122, 132, 134, 142.

The measuring device 122 may be an ozone meter 122 that measures ozone concentrations within the sterilization chamber 110. The ozone meter 122 communicates the ozone concentration to the controller 150 through communication line 152 e. The user interface 160 optionally displays the ozone concentration to permit a user to readily ascertain the ozone concentration within the chamber 110. The controller 150 may receive information from the ozone meter 122 regarding the concentration measurements to allow the controller 150 to adjust operation of the various components of the sterilization system 100 such as, for example, the ozone generator 120, the oxygen concentrator 130, and the air mover 140. Such adjustments by the controller 150 aim to implement an increase or decrease to the ozone concentration in the sterilization chamber 110 to maintain the ozone concentration within the chamber 110 at a predetermined concentration (i.e., at or above approximately 4,000 ppm in one configuration).

The measuring device 132 may be an oxygen meter 132 that measures at least one of an air flow rate from the oxygen concentrator 130 or a concentration of diatomic oxygen molecules within the air flowing from the oxygen concentrator 130. The oxygen meter 132 communicates its measurements to the controller 150 through a communication line 152 f. As with the ozone concentration meter 122, the user interface 160 may display the measurements received from the oxygen meter 132. The controller 150 may receive the measurements from the oxygen meter 132 and may adjust operation of the oxygen concentrator 130 through the communication line 152 b. The communicated operational changes aim to implement an increase or a decrease of at least one of the air flow rate from the oxygen concentrator 130 or the concentration of diatomic oxygen molecules within the air flowing from the oxygen concentrator 130 to maintain the ozone concentration within the chamber 110 at a predetermined concentration.

The measuring device 134 may be an oxygen concentration meter 134 that measures the concentration of diatomic oxygen molecules within the sterilization chamber 110. The oxygen concentration meter 134 communicates the oxygen concentration to the controller 150 through a communication line 152 g. Once again, the user interface 160 may display the concentration received from the oxygen concentration meter 134. The controller 150 may utilize the oxygen concentration measurements to adjust operation of the oxygen concentrator 130 through the communication line 152 b. The communicated operational changes aim to implement an increase or decrease in the concentration of diatomic oxygen molecules within the sterilization chamber 110 to once again maintain the ozone concentration within the chamber 110 at a predetermined concentration.

The measuring device 142 may be an air flow meter 142, which is disposed on the gas piping/tubing 118. The air flow meter 142 measures the air recirculation flow rate through the air mover 140 and communicates the air recirculation flow rate to the controller 150 through communication a line 152 h. As with the measuring devices 122, 132, 134, the user interface 160 may display the flow rate to communicate the flow rate to the user. The controller 150 may also utilize the flow rate measurements to adjust the speed of the air mover 140 to increase or decrease the flow rate. Specifically, the controller 150 may send a signal to the air mover 140 via the communication line 152 c to adjust an output of the air mover 140 based on the current ozone concentration in the chamber 110.

As set forth above, the controller 150 receives information from the various measurement devices 122, 132, 134, 142 for use by the controller 150 in controlling the various components 120, 130, 140 of the sterilization system 100 all in an effort to maintain an ozone concentration in the chamber 110 at a predetermined level. The controller 150 may additionally receive various user-inputs to aid or direct the controller 150 in controlling the various components 120, 130, 140. For example, a user may change the desired ozone concentration by adjusting the predetermined value above or below 4000 ppm. The controller 150 may receive this information along with information from the measurement devices 122, 132, 134, 142 and may control the various components 120, 130, 140 based on this information.

An error warning is optionally displayed on the screen 162 of the user interface 160 when any one of the measurements reaches a preset high or low level. An additional or different warning may be displayed when the controller 150 is unable to direct the sterilization system 100 to bring the measurements within the preset levels.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some implementations, an exhaust system 180 releases ozone-concentrated air from the sterilization chamber 110 and the sterilization system 100. The air mover 140 extracts ozone-concentrated air from the gas outlet 112 b on the body 112 of the sterilization chamber 110. The air mover 140 recirculates a portion of this extracted air back into the sterilization chamber 110 through a gas inlet 112 a, and the exhaust system 180 exhausts the remainder of the extracted air. The exhausted ozone-concentrated air separates from the recirculated air prior to reaching the air mover 140 and exits the sterilization system 100 at the ozone exhaust port 184.

An exhaust valve 182 optionally controls the flow of the ozone-concentrated air exiting the sterilization system 100 at the ozone exhaust port 184. In the configuration of the exhaust system 180 of FIG. 5, the exhaust valve 182 modulates between fully open and fully closed. An exhaust meter 186, located downstream of the exhaust valve 182, measures the flow of the ozone-concentrated air to the ozone exhaust port 184. In other configurations, the exhaust meter 186 is located upstream of the exhaust valve 182.

The exhaust meter 186 communicates the flow measurement to the controller 150 through a communication line 152 m. The user interface 160 optionally displays the flow measurement. The controller 150 utilizes the flow measurement to communicate a change in position of the exhaust valve 182 through a communication line 152 n in order to increase or decrease the flow rate of the ozone-concentrated air to the ozone exhaust port 184. The power source 170 provides power through power line 174 h for automatic modulation of the exhaust valve 182 and also powers the exhaust meter 186.

Other configurations of the exhaust system 180 do not include an exhaust meter 186. For example, in one such system, the exhaust valve 182 remains open during operation of the sterilization system 100 unless a user manually closes the exhaust valve 182. In another exemplary configuration of the exhaust system 180, the exhaust valve 182 opens and closes as directed by a signal from the controller 150 through communication line 152 n, but the exhaust valve 182 does not modulate. In this implementation, the power source 170 provides power for automatic opening and closing of the exhaust valve 182.

Whether or not the exhaust system 180 includes an exhaust meter 186, the controller 150 may maintain an exhaust flow rate of ozone-concentrated air at approximately 0.5 liters per minute. Maintaining a flow rate of approximately 0.5 liters per minute relieves excessive pressure that has accumulated within the sterilization chamber 110 and the gas piping/tubing 118.

As discussed above, the user interface 160 includes the screen 162 (e.g., liquid-crystal display (LCD), touch display screen, etc.) that displays one or more views 164, each of which optionally includes one or more user interface buttons 166. FIG. 6 illustrates an example ready view 164 a. The ready view 164 a includes a ‘GO’ button 166 a, which allows the user to initiate operation of the sterilization system 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example operation view 164 b that includes one or more operation metrics. The operation metrics may include, but are not limited to, a cycle time (e.g., a time remaining in a sterilization cycle), an Ozone level in the sterilization chamber 110, an Oxygen level (e.g., percentage of Oxygen) in the sterilization chamber 110, an Oxygen delivery rate (e.g., in L/min.), and/or a gas recirculation rate (e.g., in L/min.) through the sterilization chamber 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example operation complete view 164 c. The operation complete view 164 c may include one or more words and/or a glyph indicating to the user that the sterilization operation is complete. Moreover, the operation complete view 164 c may include instructions indicating how the user may retrieve the sterilized instrument from the sterilization chamber 110 without compromising the sterilized nature of the instrument.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example error view 164 d. The error view 164 d may include one or more words and/or a glyph indicating to the user that the sterilization operation experienced an error and/or that the sterilization operation is not complete. In the example shown, the error view 164 d indicates that the sterilization operation was stopped, that the sterilization operation is not complete, and the operation metrics at the time the operation stopped. Other information can be provided as well or in lieu of that shown in the example.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11, in some implementations, the user interface 160 includes one or more on/off switches 168. FIG. 10 illustrates an example user interface 160 with a single on/off switch 168 a to initiate full operation of the sterilization system 100. FIG. 11 illustrates an example user interface 160 with a first on/off switch 168 b to initiate operation of the ozone generator 120 and a second on/off switch 168 c to initiate operation of the oxygen concentrator 130 and the air mover 140.

Referring to FIGS. 12-16, in some implementations, the sterilization system 100 includes a rinsing system 190. The rinsing system 190 enables the sterilization of a rinse fluid within a fluid reservoir 192 and the application of the sterilized rinse fluid to an instrument or utensil. The application of the sterilized rinse fluid to the instrument or utensil may serve to remove bio burden from the instrument or utensil, sterilize the instrument or utensil, or accomplish both removal of bio burden and sterilization.

Referring specifically to FIG. 12, the user simply deposits the instrument or utensil into the utensil tray 116 and closes the lid 114 of the sterilization chamber 110. A rinse fluid pump 194 initiates a flow of rinse fluid through the rinse fluid piping/tubing 196. The rinse fluid enters the sterilization chamber 110, and one or more nozzles 198 spray the rinse fluid at the utensil tray 116 to remove the bio burden from the instrument or utensil. This process may be referred to as a pre-wash cycle. After the rinsing system 190 concludes the pre-wash cycle, the ozone generator 120, oxygen concentrator 130, and air mover 140 commence operation to begin sterilization.

Alternatively, the implementation of the rinsing system 190 illustrated in FIG. 12 may be utilized to apply the rinse fluid after the sterilization process utilizing the ozone-concentrated air has occurred within the sterilization chamber 110. In this case, the rinsing system 190 applies to sterilized fluid to effectuate additional sterilization of the instrument or utensil. This utilization of the rinsing system 190 may prove desirable because, under some conditions, ozone-concentrated fluid allows for more effective sterilization than ozone-concentrated air.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 13-14, in some implementations of the sterilization system 100, the rinsing system 190 may further include a rinsing chamber. Similar to the implementation shown in FIG. 12, the implementation of FIGS. 13-14 may be utilized to effectuate a pre-wash cycle or can be utilized after the sterilization process within the sterilization chamber 110 to effectuate additional sterilization of the instrument or utensil.

The user deposits the instrument or utensil into the utensil tray 216 and closes the lid 214 of the rinsing chamber 210. A rinse fluid pump 194 initiates a flow of rinse fluid through the rinse fluid piping/tubing 196. The rinse fluid enters the rinsing chamber 210, and one or more nozzles 198 spray the rinse fluid at the utensil tray 216 to apply the rinse fluid to the instrument or utensil.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary rinsing chamber 210, which includes a body 212 and a lid 214 received by the body 212. While the lid 214 is illustrated in FIG. 14 as being pivotally coupled to the body 212, the lid 214 may utilize an alternative design; it may be slidably attached to the body 212, uncoupled (e.g., freely attachable and removable from the body 212), or otherwise configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The lid 214 may be locked in the closed position during operation of rinsing system 190 using a locking mechanism 214 a to prevent inadvertent or premature opening of the rinsing chamber 210 by a user. Alternatively, the lid 214 of the rinsing chamber 210 may be provided without a locking mechanism 214 a.

The body 212 of the rinsing chamber 210 defines two openings 212 a, 212 b through which the rinse fluid piping/tubing 196 enters to the interior of the rinsing chamber 210. Within the interior of the rinsing chamber 210, the rinse fluid piping/tubing 196 terminates at two nozzles 198, which apply the rinse fluid to the instrument or utensil as desired. The quantity of nozzles 198 within the interior of the rinsing chamber 210 may vary from one to more than two depending of the desired spray pattern. While FIG. 14 illustrates a body 212 of the rinsing chamber 210 with two openings 212 a, 212 b, the quantity of openings may vary to correspond to the quantity of nozzles 198.

Referring again to FIGS. 12-16, the fluid reservoir 192 provides the rinse fluid to the rinse fluid pump 194. The rinse fluid piping/tubing 196 may include a filter screen, trough, or some other type of cleanout 197 to prevent suspended solids in the fluid reservoir 192 from reaching the rinse fluid pump 194. The power source 170 powers the rinse fluid pump 194 through a power line 174 e.

Ozone disinfects the fluid in the fluid reservoir 192. Ozone-concentrated air from the sterilization chamber 110 travels to the fluid reservoir 192 through the ozone supply piping/tubing 202. FIGS. 12-13 illustrate a configuration in which the ozone-concentrated air comes from the exhaust system 180 piping/tubing. In other configurations, the ozone-concentrated air may be supplied to the fluid reservoir 192 by the air mover 140. Alternatively, ozone-concentrated air may travel to the fluid reservoir 190 directly from the ozone exhaust port 184, directly from the sterilization chamber 110, from any point on the gas piping/tubing 118, or from any other location with access to the ozone-concentrated air.

Ozone-concentrated air enters the fluid reservoir 192 and impregnates the fluid, which, in turn, sterilizes the fluid. Upon completion of the fluid sterilization, the rinse fluid pump 194 commences the rinsing process by supplying sterilized fluid from the fluid reservoir 192 to the one or more nozzles 198.

In the implementation of FIG. 12, the ozone supply valve 200, disposed on the ozone supply piping/tubing 202, moves between an open and a closed state. Either the user manually opens and closes the ozone supply valve 200 or an open/close signal supplied by the controller 150 through the communication line 152 j automatically initiates opening and closing of the ozone supply valve 200. If the ozone supply valve 200 operates automatically upon receiving a signal from the controller 150, a power line 174 g provides the ozone supply valve 200 with power from the power source 170. Accordingly, the ozone supply valve 200 remains open only during sterilization of the fluid in the fluid reservoir 192. In the implementation of FIG. 13, the ozone supply valve 200 and the exhaust valve 182 are illustrated as combined within a single three-way valve. This permits the ozone-concentrated air exhausted from the gas outlet piping/tubing 118 b to travel to either the ozone exhaust port 184 or the fluid reservoir 192, depending upon the position of the three-way valve. In order to sterilize the fluid within the fluid reservoir 192, the positioning of the three-way valve would direct the ozone-concentrated air to the fluid reservoir 192 through the ozone supply piping/tubing 202. The three way valve can be manual, as shown in FIG. 13, or automatic, which would utilize control signals from the controller 150 through communication line 152 j and power from the power source 170 through power line 174 g. Although the implementation of FIG. 12 illustrates one configuration of the ozone supply valve 200 and FIG. 13 illustrates another configuration, each different configuration of the ozone supply valve 200 can be utilized in each implementation of the rinsing system 190, interchangeably.

Turning back to the general aspects of the rinsing system 190, the ozone generator 120 drives the sterilization of the fluid in the fluid reservoir 192 by generating the ozone-concentrated air utilized to impregnate and sterilize the fluid. To permit proper functioning of the ozone generator 120, the oxygen concentrator 130 also generates a gas rich in diatomic oxygen molecules and the air mover 140 circulates air through the sterilization chamber 110. During the sterilization process of the fluid in the fluid reservoir 192, the exhaust valve 182 remains in a closed position to direct sufficient ozone-concentrated air to the fluid reservoir 192.

The rinsing system 190 may include a sterilized fluid outlet 204. The user or the controller 150 directs the sterilized fluid outlet 204 to discharge sterilized fluid from the fluid reservoir 192 for external use by the user. Although the implementation of FIG. 12 includes a sterilized fluid outlet 204 and the implementation of FIG. 13 does not include a sterilized fluid outlet 204, either implementation—depending upon the needs of the user—could include or not include a sterilized fluid outlet 204.

In some implementations, the fluid reservoir 192, the rinse fluid pump 194, the rinse fluid piping/tubing 196, the ozone supply valve 200, and the ozone supply piping/tubing 202 are disposed within the portable case 102 of the sterilization system 100. If the rinsing system 190 includes a rinsing chamber 210, the rinsing chamber 210 may also disposed within the portable case 102.

In some implementations, the rinsing system 190 includes a fluid reservoir 192 for the sterilization of fluid, but does not include a rinse fluid pump 194, one or more nozzles 198, or a rinsing chamber 210. In these implementations, the user submerges the utensil or instrument in the fluid reservoir 192 to remove bio burden before inserting the utensil or instrument into the utensil tray 116 for sterilization. Such implementations optionally include a sterilized-fluid outlet 204.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the sterilization chamber 110 optionally houses a debris scraper 116 a. During the pre-wash cycle, bio burden may accumulate on the utensil tray 116. The debris scraper 116 a removes bio burden from the utensil tray 116. FIG. 12 illustrates an automatic debris scraper 116 a that receives power from power source 170 through a power line 174 f and a signal to operate from the controller 150 through communication line 152 k. Alternatively, the design of the debris scraper 116 a may allow for manual operation only. In these implementations including a manual debris scraper 116 a, the debris scraper 116 a may be attached within the sterilization chamber 110 or may be stored elsewhere within the portable case 102.

In the implementation of FIG. 14, the rinsing chamber 210 is shown without a debris scraper 116 a. However, similar to the sterilization chamber 110 in the implementation of FIG. 12, the rinsing chamber 210 may be provided with a manual or an electric debris scraper 116 a to clean bio burden from the utensil tray 216 within the rinsing chamber 210.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example ready view 164 e shown on the screen 162 of the user interface 160 for a sterilization system 100 that includes a rinsing system 190. To begin the pre-wash and sterilization processes, the user presses a ‘GO’ button 166 a. To receive sterilized fluid, which may consist of water or some other fluid, from the sterilized fluid outlet 204, the user presses a ‘WATER’ button 166 b.

In alternative implementations, the user interface 160 optionally provides the user with an option to initiate the sterilization process without the pre-wash process or to initiate the pre-wash process without the sterilization process.

Referring to FIG. 16, in some implementations, the user interface 160 includes one or more on/off switches 168. FIG. 16 illustrates an example user interface 160 with a first on/off switch 168 d to initiate the pre-wash process and a second on/off switch 168 a to initiate the sterilization process. Other alternative implementations optionally include one or more switches allowing the user to control different processes or components of the sterilization system 100 or, in particular, of the rinsing system 190.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of operations for a method 1700 of sterilizing an instrument. At block 1702, the method 1700 includes receiving an instrument in a sterilization chamber 110. At block 1704, the method 1700 includes generating at least one plasma field in the sterilization chamber 110 using an ozone generator 120 disposed in the sterilization chamber 110 to generate ozone. At block 1706, the method 1700 includes delivering oxygen-concentrated air to the sterilization chamber 110 (e.g., via an oxygen concentrator 130). At block 1708, the method 1700 includes circulating the ozone within the sterilization chamber 110 (e.g., via an air mover 140).

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an example sterilization system 1000. The structure and function of the sterilization system 1000 may be substantially similar to that of the sterilization system 100, apart from any exceptions described below and/or shown in the Figures. Accordingly, the structure and/or function of similar features may not be described again in detail.

In some implementations, the sterilization system 1000 includes a cleaning system 1002, a rinsing system 1900, and an exhaust system 1800. As will be explained in more detail below, the rinsing system 1900 may be disposed downstream of the cleaning system 1002, and the exhaust system 1800 may be disposed downstream of the rinsing system 1900, such that the sterilization system 1000 can be used to rinse (e.g., in the rinsing system 1900) an instrument, wash (e.g., in the cleaning system 1002) the instrument, and exhaust (e.g., from the exhaust system 1800) a fluid.

The cleaning system 1002 may include an oxygen generating system 1003 and an ozone generating system 1005 in fluid communication with the oxygen generating system 1003. In this regard, the ozone generating system 1005 may receive a flow of oxygen from the oxygen generating system 1003. In some implementations, the oxygen generating system 1003 includes (i) an oxygen pump 1004 (e.g., an air mover), (ii) an inlet valve 1006 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 118, 118 c), the oxygen pump 1004, (iii) the oxygen concentrator 130 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 118, 118 d), the inlet valve 1006, and (iv) an outlet valve 1008 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 118, 118 e), the oxygen concentrator 130. The ozone generating system 1005 may include (i) the air mover 140 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via the conduit 118, 118 b), the outlet valve 1008, (ii) the ozone generator 120 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via the conduit 118, 118 a), the air mover 140, and (iii) a sterilization chamber 1110 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 118, 118 f), the ozone generator 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the oxygen pump 1004 includes an inlet 1010 and an outlet 1012 through which the oxygen pump 1004 delivers a fluid (e.g., ambient air) to an inlet 1014 of the inlet valve 1006. In some implementations, the inlet valve 1006 is a five-way valve having first and second outlets 1016 a, 1016 b in fluid communication with the oxygen concentrator 130. In this regard, the oxygen concentrator 130 may include a first canister 1018 a in fluid communication with the first outlet 1016 a, and a second canister 1018 b in fluid communication with the second outlet 1016 b. The first and second canisters 1018 a, 1018 b may include a catalyst material (e.g., zeolite) to convert the fluid delivered from the inlet valve 1006 into oxygen. The inlet valve 1006 may operate between an open state, allowing the flow of ambient air therethrough, and a closed state, blocking the flow of ambient air therethrough As will be described in more detail below, during operation, the controller 150 controls the operation of the inlet valve 1006 (e.g., between the open state and the closed state) in order to control the timing and/or rate of fluid delivery to the oxygen concentrator 130. For example, the controller 150 may

The outlet valve 1008 includes an inlet 1020 in fluid communication with an outlet 1022 of the oxygen concentrator 130. As will be explained in more detail below, the outlet valve 1008 may control the flow rate of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator 130 to the air mover 140. For example, the outlet valve 1008 may operate between an open state allowing the flow of oxygen therethrough and a closed state blocking the flow of oxygen therethrough. In this regard, the outlet valve 1008 may be adjustable in order to allow a user to modify the flow rate of oxygen into the air mover 140.

The air mover 140 includes an inlet 1024 and an outlet 1026 through which the air mover 140 delivers oxygen and ozone, via the conduit 118, 118 a, to the ozone generator 120. In this regard, the inlet 1022 of the air mover 140 receives (i) oxygen from the outlet valve 1008 and (ii) ozone from the sterilization chamber 1110. Accordingly, as will be explained in more detail below, operation of the air mover 140 may circulate a mixture of ozone and oxygen through the ozone generator 120.

The ozone generator 120 includes an inlet 1028 and an outlet 1030. The inlet 1028 may be in fluid communication with the outlet 1026 of the air mover 140, such that the ozone generator 120 is in fluid communication with the oxygen concentrator 130. During operation, the ozone generator 120 may generate a flow of ozone from the mixture of ozone and oxygen prior to delivering the ozone through the outlet 1030 to the sterilization chamber 1110. In particular, the ozone may flow into the gas inlet 112 a, through the sterilization chamber 1110, and out of the gas outlet 112 b prior to entering the conduit 118, 118 b and flowing back to the inlet 1024 of the air mover 140. The sterilization chamber 1110 may be substantially similar to the sterilization chamber 110, except as otherwise shown or described herein. Accordingly, the sterilization chamber 110 will not be described again in detail herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 18, the rinsing system 1900 may include (i) a mixer 1904 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 118, 118 g), the cleaning system 1002, (ii) a rinsing chamber 1210 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via the conduit 196), the mixer 1904, and (iii) the rinse fluid pump 194 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via the conduit 196), the mixer 1904.

The mixer 1904 includes a first inlet 1906 a, a second inlet 1906 b, and an outlet 1908. The first inlet 1906 a may be in fluid communication with the cleaning system 1002 (e.g., the ozone generator 120). For example, the first inlet 1906 a may receive a fluid (e.g., ozone) from the gas outlet 112 b of the sterilization chamber 1110.

The second inlet 1906 b may be in fluid communication with the rinse fluid pump 194. For example, the second inlet 1906 b may receive a flow of cleaning fluid (e.g., water) from an outlet 1910 of the rinse fluid pump 194. In some implementations, the mixer 1904 includes a venturi tube that mixes (e.g., dissolves) the fluid (e.g., ozone) received from the cleaning system 1002 in the cleaning fluid (e.g., water) received from the rinse fluid pump 194 prior to delivering the fluid (e.g., ozonated cleaning fluid) to the rinsing chamber 210.

The rinsing chamber 1210 may be substantially similar to the rinsing chamber 210, except as otherwise shown or described herein. In this regard, the rinsing chamber 1210 includes the two openings 212 a, 212 b, and an outlet 1912. The opening 212 a defines an inlet of the rinsing chamber 1210, and the opening 212 b defines an outlet of the rinsing chamber 1210. The opening 212 a may be in fluid communication with the outlet 1908 of the mixer 1904. The opening 212 b may be in fluid communication with the exhaust system 1800. In this regard, during operation, the opening 212 b may deliver an exhaust fluid (e.g., ozone) to the exhaust system 1800. The outlet 1912 may be in fluid communication with an inlet 1914 of the rinse fluid pump 194. Accordingly, during operation, the outlet 1912 may deliver a fluid (e.g., water) to the rinse fluid pump 194, such that the rinse fluid pump 194 circulates the fluid from the rinsing chamber 1210 to the mixer 1904.

The exhaust system 1800 may include (i) the exhaust valve 182 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 1801), the rinsing system 1900, and (ii) a filter 1802 disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with (e.g., via a conduit 1803), the exhaust valve 182. The exhaust valve 182 includes an inlet 1804 in fluid communication with the opening 212 b of the rinsing chamber 210. The exhaust valve 182 may control the flow rate of exhaust (e.g., gas) from the rinsing system 1900 to the exhaust system 1800. In this regard, the exhaust valve 182 may be adjustable in order to allow a user to modify the flow rate of exhaust into the filter 1802.

The filter 1802 includes an inlet 1806 in fluid communication with an outlet 1808 of the exhaust valve 182. In some implementations, the filter 1802 includes charcoal or another suitable material for removing ozone from the fluid delivered through the exhaust valve 182 from the rinsing system 1900.

With further reference to FIG. 18, the sterilization system 1000 may also include the controller 150, the user interface 160, and the power source 170. In some implementations, the sterilization system 1000 may include a secondary power source 1034 in electrical communication with the user interface 160. The secondary power source 1000 may include a first battery 1036 a, a second battery 1036 b, and a converter 1038. During operation of the sterilization system 1000, the first and second batteries 1036 a, 1036 b may supply electrical power to the converter 1038. The converter 1038 may modify the voltage of the power supplied by the first and second batteries 1036 a, 1036 b prior to transmitting the modified power to the user interface 160. The power source 170 and/or the secondary power source 1034 may supply electrical power to the components of the sterilization system 1000. In some implementations, the power source 170 transmits electrical power to an inverter 1040. The inverter 1040 may convert the power from direct current to alternating current prior to transmitting the power to the oxygen pump 1004.

A method of operating the sterilization system 1000 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 18-19B. At block 1902, the method includes entering certain operating parameters into the user interface 160. For example, at block 1902, a user may enter a desired cycle, a desired flow rate, a desired oxygen concentration, and a desired ozone concentration into the user interface 160.

At block 1904, the user interface 160 transmits the various operating parameters through the communication line 152 d to the controller 150. At block 1906, the controller 150 (e.g., data processing hardware) communicates with the ozone generator 120, the oxygen generator 130, the inlet valve 1006, and the rinse fluid pump 194. In some implementations, the controller 150 may transmit various operating instructions to one or more of the ozone generator 120, the oxygen generator 130, the inlet valve 1006, and the rinse fluid pump 194 based on the desired operating parameters entered into the user interface 160. For example, the controller 150 may instruct the oxygen generating system 1003 to generate a flow of oxygen having a threshold oxygen concentration. In this regard, the controller 150 may instruct a switch 1042 to cycle the inlet valve 1006 between the open state and the closed state according to a threshold oxygen duty cycle, such that the flow of oxygen maintains an oxygen concentration of at least 75%. Similarly, the controller may instruct the ozone generating system 1005 to generate a flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen. In this regard, the controller 150 may instruct a switch 1044 to cycle the ozone generator 120 between an ON state and an OFF state according to a threshold ozone duty cycle, such that the flow of ozone maintains a threshold ozone level to be at least 4000 ppm within the sterilization chamber 1110. The controller 150 may also instruct the fluid pump 194 to feed a recirculation flow of cleaning fluid to the mixer 1904 at a threshold flow rate.

At block 1908, the oxygen pump 1004 delivers a fluid (e.g., ambient air) from the inlet 1010 to the inlet valve 1006 through the conduit 118, 118 c. The inlet valve 1006 may operate in various states to control the flow of the fluid into the oxygen generator 130 through the conduits 118, 118 d. For example, as previously described, the inlet valve 1006 may include a valve that operates in five states to control the flow of the fluid into the oxygen generator 130. In particular, the inlet valve 1006 may deliver the fluid to the first canister 1018 a in a first state, and may deliver fluid to the second canister 1018 b in a second state. In some implementations, the oxygen generating system 1003 includes the switch 1042. The controller 150 may control the operation of the inlet valve 1006 through the switch 1042. For example, when the switch 1042 is in a first position (e.g., ON or CLOSED), the inlet valve 1006 may be in a first state, and when the switch 1042 is in a second position (e.g., OFF or OPEN), the inlet valve 1006 may be in a second state. In some configurations, the switch 1042 includes a relay operating in the first and second positions. Accordingly, the switch 1042 may be referred to herein as a relay 1042. In this regard, the controller 150 may control the operation of the relay 1042 between the first and second states based on the desired operating parameters entered into the user interface 160. For example, the controller 150 may command the relay 1042 to cycle the inlet valve 1006 between the open state and the closed state according to a threshold oxygen duty cycle. In this regard, the controller 150 may control the operation of the relay 1042 to control the flow of ambient air to the oxygen generator 130 to maintain a threshold concentration of oxygen in the flow of oxygen. In some implementations, the controller 150 may cycle the relay 1042 between the first and second states every three seconds.

At block 1910, the oxygen generator 130 generates oxygen from the fluid delivered by the inlet valve 1006. For example, the oxygen generator 130 may concentrate oxygen from the fluid (e.g., ambient air) delivered by the inlet valve 1006, resulting in a flow of oxygen. The oxygen generator 130 may deliver the oxygen to the outlet valve 1008 through the conduit 118, 118 e. The outlet valve 1008 may control the flow rate of oxygen through the conduit 118, 118 b to the air mover 140. In this regard, the outlet valve 1008 may include a control mechanism (not shown), such as a handle or a knob, for example, to control the flow rate of oxygen therethrough. In some implementations, the flow rate of oxygen through the outlet valve 1008 may be 1.5 liters per minute.

The air mover 140 may control the flow rate of fluid into the ozone generator 120. In this regard, the controller 150 may send a signal to the air mover 140 via the communication line 152 c to adjust an output of the air mover 140 based on the current ozone concentration in the chamber 1110. Operation of the air mover 140 may circulate the fluid, including the oxygen delivered from the outlet valve 1008, through the conduits 118 a, 118 b, and 118 f.

At block 1912, as the air mover 140 delivers the fluid to the ozone generator inlet 1028, the ozone generator 120 generates ozone by converting at least a portion of the fluid (e.g., oxygen) into ozone. In some implementations, the ozone generating system 1005 includes the switch 1044. The controller 150 may control the operation of the ozone generator 120 through the switch 1044, such that operation of the switch 1044 controls the rate and/or quantity of ozone generated by the ozone generator 120. For example, when the switch 1044 is in a first position (e.g., ON or CLOSED), the ozone generator 120 may be in a first state (e.g., ON), and when the switch 1044 is in a second position (e.g., OFF or OPEN), the ozone generator 120 may be in a second state (e.g., OFF). In some configurations, the switch 1044 includes a relay operating in the first and second positions. Accordingly, the switch 1044 may be referred to herein as a relay 1044. In this regard, the controller 150 may control the operation of the relay 1044 between the first and second positions based on the desired operating parameters entered into the user interface 160. When the relay 1044 is in the first position (e.g., CLOSED), the relay 1044 may transmit power to the ozone generator 120 through a transformer 1046. The controller 150 may command the relay 1044 to cycle the ozone generator 120 between an ON state and an OFF state according to a threshold ozone duty cycle. In some implementations, the controller 150 controls the relay 1044 between the ON and OFF states such that the ozone generator 120 generates 20,000 parts per million of ozone. The ozone generator 120 may deliver the fluid, including the generated ozone, through the outlet 1030 to the conduit 118 f, and from the conduit 118 f to the inlet 112 a of the sterilization chamber 1110.

At block 1914, the sterilization chamber 1110 delivers fluid, including ozone, to the conduits 118 b, 118 g through the outlet 112 b. In this regard, the fluid mover 140 may deliver (i) a first portion of the fluid through the conduit 118 b and back to the sterilization chamber 1110, as previously described, and (ii) a second portion of the fluid through the conduit 118 g to the rinsing system 1900. In some implementations, the fluid mover 140 delivers 0.5 liters per minute of the fluid, including ozone, to the rinsing system 1900. In particular, the fluid mover 140 may deliver the fluid, including ozone, to the first inlet 1906 a of the mixer 1904.

At block 1916, the mixer 1904 receives a first fluid (e.g., water) at the second inlet 1906 b, and thereafter mix a second fluid (e.g., ozone) received at the first inlet 1906 a from the cleaning system 1002 with the first fluid (e.g., water) received at the second inlet 1906 b. In some implementations, the mixer 1904 dissolves the second fluid (e.g. ozone) received at the first inlet 1906 a with the first fluid received at the second inlet 1906 b. In this regard, the mixer 1904 may include a venturi tube, as previously described. The mixer 1904 may deliver the fluid (e.g., ozonated cleaning fluid), including the second fluid (e.g., ozone) received at the first inlet 1906 a and the first fluid (e.g., water) received at the second inlet 1906 b, through the outlet 1908 to the conduit 196. The conduit 196 may deliver the fluid to the prewash chamber 1210 through the inlet 212 a.

At block 1918, the fluid mover 194 circulates fluid (e.g., ozonated cleaning fluid) through the mixer 1904 and the prewash chamber 1210. In some implementations, the prewash chamber 1210 delivers fluid to the conduits 196 and 1801 through the outlets 1912 and 1801, respectively. In this regard, the prewash chamber 1210 may deliver (i) a first portion (e.g., water) of the fluid to the conduit 196 through the outlet 1912, and (ii) a second portion (e.g., ozone) of the fluid to the conduit 1801 through the outlet 212 b. The conduit 196 may deliver the first portion (e.g., water) of the fluid to the inlet 1914 of the fluid mover 194. The fluid mover 194 may circulate the first portion of the fluid through the mixer 1904 and the prewash chamber 1210. In some implementations, the fluid mover 194 controls the flow rate of the first portion of the fluid through the mixer 1904. For example, the controller 150 may control the operation of the fluid mover 194 through a switch 1048, such that operation of the switch 1048 controls the flow rate of the first portion of the fluid through the mixer 1904. In this regard, when the switch 1048 is in a first position (e.g., ON or CLOSED), the fluid mover 194 may be in a first state (e.g., ON), and when the switch 1048 is in a second position (e.g., OFF or OPEN), the fluid mover 194 may be in a second state (e.g., OFF). In some configurations, the switch 1048 includes a relay operating in the first and second positions. Accordingly, the switch 1048 may be referred to herein as a relay 1048. In some implementations, the controller 150 controls the operation of the relay 1048 between the first and second positions based on the desired operating parameters entered into the user interface 160. For example, the controller 150 may command the relay 1048 to cycle the fluid mover 194 between the ON state and the OFF state according to a threshold cleaning fluid duty cycle.

At block 1920, the rinsing system 1900 delivers the second portion (e.g., ozone) of the fluid to the exhaust system 1800 through the conduit 1801. In this regard, the conduit 1801 may deliver the second portion of the fluid to the inlet 1804 of the valve 182. The valve 182 may control the flow rate of fluid through the exhaust system 1800. For example, the valve 182 may include a control mechanism (not shown), such as a handle or a knob, for example, to control the flow rate of fluid therethrough. The valve 182 may deliver the fluid to the inlet 1806 of the filter 1802 through the conduit 1803. The filter 1802 may remove various impurities (e.g., ozone) from the fluid prior to exhausting the fluid from the exhaust system 1800 through the conduit 184. For example, the filter 1802 may at least substantially remove ozone from the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid, resulting in an at least substantially ozone-free cleaning fluid. In this regard, the filter 1802 may include a substance (e.g., charcoal) that removes the impurities from the fluid as the fluid flows therethrough.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a sterilization system, the method comprising: receiving, at an oxygen generator, a flow of ambient air; concentrating, by the oxygen generator, oxygen of the flow of ambient air, resulting in a flow of oxygen; generating, by an ozone generator, a flow of ozone from the flow of oxygen; receiving the flow of ozone in a sterilization chamber; receiving, at a mixer, a recirculation flow of cleaning fluid from a wash chamber and the flow of ozone; mixing, at the mixer, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid and the flow of ozone, resulting in a flow of ozonated cleaning fluid; and delivering the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid from the mixer to the wash chamber.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the flow of ozone into the mixer from the sterilization chamber.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the flow of ambient air to the oxygen generator to maintain a threshold concentration of oxygen in the flow of oxygen.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: moving, by an air mover, the flow of ambient air; receiving, at an inlet valve, the flow of ambient air, the inlet valve in fluid communication with the air mover and the oxygen generator, the inlet valve configured to operate between an open state allowing the flow of ambient air therethrough and a closed state blocking the flow of ambient air therethrough; and controlling, by an air mover relay in communication with the inlet valve, the flow of ambient air by cycling the inlet valve between the open state and the closed state according to a threshold oxygen duty cycle.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling, by an ozone generator relay in communication with the ozone generator, the flow of ozone by cycling the ozone generator on and off according to a threshold ozone duty cycle.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at a fluid mover in fluid communication with the mixer and the wash chamber, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid from the wash chamber; delivering, by the fluid mover, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid to the mixer; and controlling, by a fluid mover relay in communication with the fluid mover, the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid by cycling the fluid mover on and off according to a threshold cleaning fluid duty cycle.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein: the mixer has a first inlet for receiving the flow of ozone, a second inlet for receiving the recirculation flow of cleaning fluid, and an outlet for outputting the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid; the wash chamber defines an inlet for receiving the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid, an exhaust outlet, and a recirculation outlet; the inlet of the wash chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixer; the recirculation outlet of the wash chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid mover; the fluid mover in fluid communication with the second inlet of the mixer; and the first inlet of the mixer is in fluid communication with the sterilization chamber.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at an exhaust system, the flow of ozonated cleaning fluid; and removing, by the exhaust system, ozone from the ozonated cleaning fluid, resulting in an at least substantially ozone-free cleaning fluid. 